marjon9

Same vague answers are in order here as well. Some people talk about being able to feel the port. Some people also say that they could start to feel it once the weight came off. I can't feel it now at all. Not sure about after the weight comes off. After the mushies phase, you can go back to eating normal foods in smaller portions, but it is also true that most bandsters find that they can't eat certain things. For some reason a fair number of people have trouble with chicken. Almost everyone has trouble with bread, although it seems to be easier if it is toasted. Some people can't eat vegetables, or salads, or fruit, etc. etc. Another thing to keep in mind. Since you will be eating less you really need to focus on what you are eating so you get in enough nutrients. I'm not a nutritionist, but everyone here seems to be focused all the time on getting in enough protein. Since you can't eat a lot, you need to eat protein first, then vegetables and fruits. You also need to take vitamin and calcium supplements. I've also started taking cod liver oil for the Omega 3. So, even if you "can" eat Twinkies, you are just not going to have the room for it, if you want to stay healthy. As a final note, keep in mind that I'm not an expert here. I did not even stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. What you are getting from me is what I've learned here over the last few months, and my own personal experience being banded for the last month. There is also a wealth of other knowledge and opinion on this forum. A lot of these same issues come up for a lot of people. I recommend doing some browsing. I think you will find it interesting and valuable. But if you have any other questions I'll see what I can do to answer them.

Unfortunately I have to answer this one in a vague manner as well. It's just hard to say what your symptoms will be. A lot of people do have pain and discomfort where the incisions are. Many people also talk about gas pain in the shoulder. I guess with this surgery they need to put some air inside you sometimes which takes time to get out. Others have nausea. I had none of those things. For me, I had a general weakness and other things like a cold, diarrhea, and a little bit of extra concern because my port incision was draining for over a week after the surgery. So, it's just hard to say. Most people say that if they have to go to work, if it is a desk job they can get through it even if they need extra days. I can just say that for me I am very glad I had some extra time.

Like most things with the band, it's not the same for everyone. I have a desk job and I still did not feel up to going back to work for over 10 days. A lot of other people are back to work in three days. I would say for planning purposes, I would set aside at least a week to recover. If you feel fine before the week is over, you can always find something to do to take advantage of the extra days.

Lisa, if you have a dull constant pain in the stomach and lower right side back pain, and laxatives don't work, I think it is time to consider something besides constipation. I would go to the doctor pretty quick. It may be nothing, but constant pain inside the body seems like something to look into.

Hello a1m1bishop. Yes I have found a shut off valve. That's what the band is. An unforgiving shut off valve. When you have a fight with the band, the band wins, every time. I had a little bit of a rough time recovering from surgery. I felt like crap for about ten days. Many people recovery more quickly. I went back to work in two weeks. Some are able to go back in a few days. As you spend some time looking on this site you'll find discussion of these issues and many others that will come to your mind. Enjoy.

That all makes sense to me. I think you are making the right decision. I just think it is something to think about when you have a low BMI. The band is not particularly risky to your health, but it is a major life change. The band forces you to make this change because in its way it is rather similar to a brick wall. You are not going to drive through it even if you feel like a "binge." That's why it works, but that is also why it can be quite a challenge. When you get the band, you start a whole new life. Did you see the move "Splash" where at the end Tom Hanks joins the mermaid Daryl Hannah for his new life underwater? The band is sort of like that. Nothing is ever the same again. (Unless you take it out, of course.)

My comments may not be like most of the others. I am not certain that lap band surgery is strongly indicated in your case. You have a relatively modest amount of weight to lose. If you get your BMI under 35 you won't even be "seriously obese" anymore, just obese. Even now, you are not morbidly obese. Many doctors would not even be willing to do the surgery on you with this BMI, and insurance probably will not pay for it. (You've probably already found it, but you may want to look for a thread on here called "Lower BMI Bandsters." There might be some additional information for you that would be useful.) The band changes your life significantly. I think a person with 65 pounds to lose should think more than once whether this surgery is right for them. It is true that the complications that involve serious health risks are extremely rare. Even slippage and erosion are almost never serious health risks unless ignored. A port infection can be serious, but again, it is almost never serious if it is taken care of when it should be. The other items on your list are ordinarily just minor inconveniences, at worst. Gas pains and other pains are associated with the surgery. These pains are almost never significant after the first week, two weeks at most. There is almost never any pain once the surgery has healed. It is also true that many people find that they do not tolerate various types of "normal" foods, and just tend to stop eating them. This can be anything from steak, chicken, bread, Pasta, rice, vegetables, salads, etc. But on the other hand almost everyone can still eat a wide variety of foods, and after a while people tend to stop missing the foods they don't tolerate well. I used to love bread and pasta. I no longer even want to eat these foods, and I've only been banded about 4 weeks. In addition, the foods that I do eat really do taste much better. Many bandsters have this experience. Rather than wolfing food indiscriminately, I now take the time to taste it, and the difference is significant. I can honestly say I "enjoy" eating now more than before, even though I may never again eat spaghetti, pizza, or even a sandwich. And it feels wonderful to lose weight. I'm down almost 25 pounds so far. Already I can tie my shoes more easily, get in and out of cars more easily, I fit in a size smaller pants already, and I feel like I am going to be free from my CPAP machine (for sleep apnea) within months, I'll be able to shed my blood pressure medicine, my pre-diabetic condition will not turn into diabetes, and I'll be able to have a more active life all the way around. But in your case, I'd think about it twice. You say you are "desparate" about your weight, but you are still within a range where diet and exercise may really be able to work for you. Good luck figuring it all out.

Hey TexasRose, what's your phone #? Just kidding. I think the answer to this kind of stuff relates to evolution and the most ancient and fundamental parts of our psyche. Beyond that, I won't attempt to explain it. But there are some things that are not a matter of choice. They just are. I also want to comment as an aside that things have certainly changed since I last dipped my toe in the online dating meat wheel. I can honestly say that I never asked a woman her breast size before the first date.

I agree. I just think Jack first needs to write a book confessing about his first avatar. We don't want any political dirty tricks committee pulling it out the night before the big debate.

I'm not sure when you were banded. If it was just a week ago or so, then the restriction you feel is still the swelling of your stomach from the surgery. It is too early to tell much about any actual band restriction you may have once the swelling goes down. My situation is a little different. I'm 3 1/2 weeks out from surgery and I still have major restriction. I'm a little concerned about it because sometimes I can't eat anything but liquids even now. When I try to eat real food, slowly and chewing really well, sometimes it goes down OK. Most of the time, however, after one or two bites I get the golf ball and have to PB. I know this is not good, especially so soon after surgery. I'm just not sure what is going on with me. I don't know if this is a sign of a problem, or just that I am lucky to have so much restriction without a fill. Since I can eat solid food sometimes I feel like this is probably not a slip. But I don't really know that yet. I know, I know, I should go to the doctor. Anyway. I'm going to stay on liquids for a few days and see what happens. But as for your question, if you have had surgery recently, don't worry about your restriction. It's definitely normal until you heal a bit.

When you are in the clear liquid phase your menu options really are pretty limited. The one thing I can say is, homemade broth is vastly better than just cracking open a can of Swanson's. And it does not have to be chicken only. Beef broth is great too. Even if you are not a cook broth is easy to make. Just fill up a pot with a big load of chicken pieces. Wings, legs, necks and backs are fine. No need to use the good parts. For beef stock obviously use beef bones. For both chicken or beef you can brown these in the oven first for a slightly different flavor. Mixing beef and chicken is also quite good. Then, cut up some celery, onions and carrots into big pieces. Throw in a couple bay leaves if you have them around. Fill up the pot with bottled drinking Water (don't use tap water for this). Then simmer for a long time. 24 hours is best but 12 is really good too. Skim the frothy, scummy stuff off the top once in a while and throw that away. When it has cooked long enough, strain and cool in the fridge. Lift off the fat layer which will become a solid at the top. And then heat, season, and enjoy. It's so much better canned broth you can't believe it. Also, whether you make your own or use canned, you can boost the flavor even more by using some high quality chicken or beef base. The good ones list "chicken" or "beef" as the first ingredient, instead of "salt." One good brand you can find in a lot of markets is "Better than Bouillon." You can order this on line as well if you prefer. It's probably cheaper on line. I have to say, it's really good. Few of us have time to do this kind of thing these days when we are living our normal lives. But when you are healing, and broth is your only menu option, it can be fun and the results are really worth it.

I'll probably get my fills in Maryland even though they cost $150 or $200. I can get them for just about free if I go to Denver, but the time and trouble is probably not worth it. At this point, though, I feel like I may never need a fill.

Actually I'm from Maryland. I just went to Denver because Dr. Kirshenbaum has such a great price for the surgery - and a reputation as fine surgeon. It worked out well for me, although I am still struggling a bit because I have so much restriction still. It's very hard to learn how to eat tiny bites in slow motion. I still find that eat too quickly all the time even when I'm trying hard not to. I know what you mean about the weather. I was dodging airport closings to and from Denver to get to my appointment. We made it through OK but it was touch and go. We've been going through a major cold snap here as well. It's been 5 or 10 degrees at night and between 20 and 30 during the day. That's cold for us here. We're not really prepared for it here so it takes its toll. Quite a number of our Metro stations, for example, are outdoors. But it is, after all, February, so I guess I can't really be too surprised if the weather is cold.

I was scheduled for 1/16 but I had a small glitch and had to move to 1/17. For that reason I consider myself to be an honorary 1/16 bandster. I started at 340 and I'm down to 318, so that's pretty good in just a few weeks. But I have to say, it is likely that this is attributable mostly to the liquid diet and the fact that I've had a lot of restriction since day one and can hardly eat anything even now. I doubt I'll continue losing a pound a day. In fact, I certainly hope I don't continue losing a pound a day.

Once you have the band, generalities with food really have to go out the window. Some people can eat salads with no problem, but it is also true that salads cause a problem for many people. Just gotta try. I've always loved salads so I'm hoping I'll be tolerant of them. I'm only three weeks out so it's too early to tell. I'm still having trouble eating anything and everything.

Those turkey pepperoni chips sound like a great idea. Thanks Wheetsin

I think any day now you are going to turn a corner and start to feel better, and then the worst will be over and you will then be able to start dealing with creating your bandster journey. Many people feel like crap for quite a while after surgery. I felt awful for a good two weeks. I got a bad cold, had extreme diarrhea, and felt weak and unmotivated. Once you start to feel better it will all fall into place quickly. Hang in there!

Charlotte, most people go through what you are describing. You are certainly not alone. Just the other day my company had a little get together at a restaurant. They ordered a variety of Italian appetizers and passed them around. I really did not want to eat them but I took some so I would not generate a lot of questions. I tried to eat some, ate too fast in an effort to appear normal, then I had to go to the restroom an PB the whole thing up. I really don't know how to recomment that you deal with this type of situation. Next time I guess I'll just say I'm not feeling well. And, yes, all of us connect food with social events. It is hard to relearn all these things, and train ourselves in a whole new direction. That's part of why I waited until after the holidays to get banded. I don't think there is an easy answer, but it is one of the things that we bandsters have to learn how to handle. On a positive note I can say that I'm finding that even though I am eating less, I do enjoy it more. Rather than wolfing down anything I could find indiscriminately, I'm actually choosing quality items and taking the time to enjoy how they taste. You may find that you have the same experience.

There may be a few people who are experienced and mature "daters" who have everything in perspective and take everything in stride, but if there are I don't think they are in a phase of life that is open to a meaningful relationship. If you are truly open to the real thing, dating is hell. By its nature it makes everyone feel like a helpless, out of control dork, no matter how "mature" you are. So try to keep that in mind. You don't need to pile on to yourself and feel not only like a helpless, out of control, dork, but a dork that is wrong for feeling that way.

I think if we were real men we'd just tear off the hair with our own bare hands while lying on the operating table.

Nice way to put it. It is like that boost of willpower that puts you over the top and in control. Now, instead of having to work really hard to lose weight, a person has to work hard not to lose weight. It is possible to defeat the band, but it takes effort. I know I'm only three weeks out, but my experience is that I need to struggle to get in enough calories so I don't get weak. Man, is that ever a change. This morning I ate half a portion of oatmeal and 1/2 a chicken thigh and I'm still stuffed.

Yes, there is time. When food won't go down it hurts, but it just sits there until you "let" or "encourage" it to come up in the restroom.

lisah25 is right. The thing that can be confusing is people sometimes use the terms vomiting and PBing as the same thing. So when someone with the band says they vomit all the time it's hard to know exactly what they mean. Many people with the band PB pretty often (although it should definitely be avoided). But on the other hand I don't think there are really very many bandsters who truly actually vomit very often. It's a difficult thing to define, because to a lot of people, when they PB it seems to them very much like vomiting. When I PB it seems really different from vomiting because there is little or no convulsion in the stomach, and the material that comes up does not taste bad. So it seems really different to me.

I would just be a little careful with "pureed" foods. That word can mean a lot of things. If you are pureeing a little chicken in a lot of broth, that's probably OK. If you are throwing a steak, baked potato and a tablespoon of tobasco in the blender and eating a thick paste, that's probably not so good at one week out. I can just say that I tried to move past liquids a bit too fast at the beginning and my stomach swelled up in response and I could barely drink water for a couple days. I think it's better to take it easy at the beginning.

Above all follow your surgeon/nutritionist's advice. From my own non-expert opinion, I would say be sure you are taking in plenty of Water. Beyond that don't worry to much at this point. If you are up for it at all drink some broth, eat some popsicles and Jello if you can/want to. Over the next day or two try to incorporate some Protein shakes, and possibly some liquid Vitamins. But again, try to stick with the plan your surgeon provided for you.